Female connector for releasable coupling with a male connector defining a fluid conduit

ABSTRACT

A fluid connector system may include a female connector for releasable coupling with a male connector. The male connector defines a fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be received within the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature. The female connector comprises an opening, a collet finger, and an actuation element. The opening is adapted to guide the male connector along a first line of action as the male connector passes into the opening to be received within the female connector. The collet finger includes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature of the male end and displace along a second line of action generally normal to the first line of action. The actuation element is adapted to displace along a third line of action generally normal to the first and second lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the coupling feature of the male end. When the engagement feature is engaged with the coupling feature, the fluid conduit of the male connector is held in fluid communication with a fluid conduit of the female connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/149,624, filed Jun. 10, 2005 and entitled“Female Connector for Releasable Coupling with a Male Connector Defininga Fluid Conduit;” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated hereinin its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to connectors for fluid conduits andmethods of using such connectors. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to female connectors for releasable coupling with maleconnectors defining a fluid conduit and methods of manufacturing andusing such connectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Quick connect/disconnect coupling assemblies for small flexible tubeapplications and other applications are known in the art. Such couplingsare utilized for bio-medical applications, convenience handling,beverage dispensing, instrument connections, photochemical handling,etc. Despite the existence of such couplings, there is a need in the artfor a female and male coupling arrangement that offers improved couplingsecurity, simplified operation, and decreased manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in one embodiment, is a female connector forreleasable coupling with a male connector. The male connector defines afirst fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be receivedwithin the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature.The female connector comprises a second fluid conduit, an opening, and acollet finger. The opening is adapted to receive the male end such thatthe first and second fluid conduits are placed in fluid communicationwhen the male end is fully inserted into the opening. The collet fingerincludes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature ofthe male end and displace generally laterally to a travel direction ofthe male end when the male end is being inserted into the opening.

In one embodiment, the opening of the female connector is defined by acollar having a window through which the engagement feature displaceswhen the male end is inserted into the opening.

In one embodiment, the engagement feature of the female connectorincludes an arcuate leading edge, an arcuate lip adapted to engage thecoupling feature of the male end, and an arcuate beveled surface locatedbetween the arcuate leading edge and the arcuate lip. In one embodiment,the arcuate leading edge is defined by a first radius and the arcuatelip is defined by a second radius that is smaller than the first radius.In one embodiment, the engagement feature further includes a firstarcuate wall portion extending from the arcuate leading edge to thearcuate beveled surface. In one embodiment, the engagement featurefurther includes a second arcuate wall portion extending from thearcuate beveled surface to the arcuate lip. In one embodiment, thecoupling feature of the male end is a groove and the first arcuate wallportion resides within the groove when the engagement feature engagesthe coupling feature.

In one embodiment, the female connector further includes a biasingelement adapted to bring the engagement feature into contact with thecoupling feature of the male end. In one embodiment, the collet fingerof the female connector includes an integral biasing element adapted tobring the engagement feature into contact with the coupling feature ofthe male end.

In one embodiment, the female connector further comprises a buttonincluding a member extending therefrom adapted to cause the engagementfeature to displace laterally away from the coupling feature upondepressing the button. In one embodiment, the member is a wedge that isadapted to engage an inclined surface of the collet finger. In oneembodiment, the member moves generally laterally to the displacementdirection of the collet finger and the travel direction of the male end.

In one embodiment, the female connector further comprises a housinggenerally containing the collet finger and supporting the button. In oneembodiment, the button is pivotally coupled to the housing.

In one embodiment, the female connector further comprises a biasingelement extending between the housing and the button to bias the memberaway from the collet finger. In one embodiment, the button includes alatch extending therefrom adapted to engage the housing to prevent thebutton from overly biasing away from the collet finger.

The present invention, in one embodiment, is a female connector forreleasable coupling with a male connector. The male connector defines afirst fluid conduit and includes a male end adapted to be receivedwithin the female connector. The male end includes a coupling feature.The female connector comprises an opening, a collet finger, and anactuation element. The opening is adapted to guide the male connectoralong a first line of action as the male connector passes into theopening to be received within the female connector. The collet fingerincludes an engagement feature adapted to engage the coupling feature ofthe male end and displace along a second line of action generally normalto the first line of action. The actuation element is adapted todisplace along a third line of action generally normal to the first andsecond lines of action in order to disengage the engagement feature fromthe coupling feature of the male end.

In one embodiment, the female connector further comprises a button fromwhich the actuation element extends. In one embodiment, the femaleconnector further comprises a housing and the button is pivotallycoupled to the housing. In one embodiment, the substantially enclosesthe collet finger and supports the button.

In one embodiment, the female connector further includes first andsecond biasing elements. The first biasing element acts against thecollet finger to bias the engagement feature into engagement with thecoupling feature of the male end. The second biasing element actsagainst the button to bias the actuation element away from the colletfinger.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of modifications in various aspects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top-front isometric view of a female quick-connect couplerof the subject invention coupled to a male connector.

FIG. 1B is a top-front isometric view of the female coupler.

FIG. 1C is a bottom-front isometric view of the female coupler.

FIG. 1D is a top-rear isometric view of the female coupler.

FIG. 1E is a top plan view of the female coupler.

FIG. 1F is a front elevation of the female coupler.

FIG. 1G is a right side elevation of the female coupler.

FIG. 1H is a left side elevation of the female coupler.

FIG. 1I is a rear elevation of the female coupler.

FIG. 1J is a bottom plan view of the female coupler.

FIG. 2 is a top-front exploded isometric view of the female coupler andmale connector.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the male connector.

FIG. 4 is a bottom-front isometric view of the upper housing portion.

FIG. 5 is another bottom-front isometric view of the upper housingportion.

FIG. 6 is bottom-rear isometric view of the upper housing portion.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the button.

FIG. 8 is a bottom-front isometric view of the button.

FIG. 9 is a bottom-rear isometric view of the button.

FIG. 10 is a bottom-front isometric view of the button pivotally coupledto the upper housing portion.

FIG. 11 is top-rear isometric view of the collet finger.

FIG. 12 is a bottom-front isometric view of the collet finger.

FIG. 13 is a top-front isometric view of the collet finger.

FIG. 14 is a top-rear isometric view of the relationship between thebutton and collet finger.

FIG. 15 is a bottom-front isometric view of the relationship between thebutton and collet finger.

FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross section of the male connector coupled withthe female coupler, as taken along section line 16-16 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is top-front isometric view of the lower housing portion.

FIG. 18 is another top-front isometric view of the lower housingportion.

FIG. 19 is a top-rear isometric view of the lower housing portion.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the lower housing portion.

FIG. 21 is a top-front isometric view of the relationship between thebutton and lower housing portion.

FIG. 22 is a top-rear isometric view of the relationship between thebutton and lower housing portion.

FIG. 23 is a top-front isometric view of the relationship between thecollet finger and lower housing portion.

FIG. 24 is a top-rear isometric view of the relationship between thecollet finger and lower housing portion.

FIG. 25 is bottom-front isometric view of the front housing portion.

FIG. 26 is a bottom-rear isometric view of the front housing portion.

FIG. 27 is a top-front isometric view of the relationship between thecollet finger, button and lower housing portion.

FIG. 28 is a bottom-rear isometric view of an alternative embodiment ofthe collet finger.

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the collet fingerdepicted in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the collet fingerdepicted in FIG. 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A is a top-front isometric view of a female quick-connect coupler5 of the subject invention coupled to a male connector 10. As will beunderstood from the following discussion, in one embodiment, the femalecoupler 5 includes an engagement feature and the male connector 10includes a coupling feature. The engagement feature is housed within thehousing 12 of the female coupler 5 and is adapted to positively engagewith the coupling feature of the male connector 10. Upon insertion ofthe male connector 10 into the female coupler 5, the male connector 10positively couples with the female coupler 5. Depressing an actuationbutton 15 on the female coupler 5 disengages the engagement feature fromthe coupling feature, thereby allowing the male connector 10 to bewithdrawn from the female coupler 5.

For a discussion of the overall configuration of the femalequick-connect coupler 5 of the subject invention, reference is now madeto FIGS. 1B-1J. FIG. 1B is a top-front isometric view of the femalecoupler 5. FIG. 1C is a bottom-front isometric view of the femalecoupler 5. FIG. 1D is a top-rear isometric view of the female coupler 5.FIG. 1E is a top plan view of the female coupler 5. FIG. 1F is a frontelevation of the female coupler 5. FIG. 1G is a right side elevation ofthe female coupler 5. FIG. 1H is a left side elevation of the femalecoupler 5. FIG. 1I is a rear elevation of the female coupler 5. FIG. 1Jis a bottom plan view of the female coupler 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1B-1J, the female coupler 5 includes a male end 16, afemale end 17, and an actuation button 15. As illustrated in FIG. 1A,the female end 17 is configured to be connected to a first fluid conduitby receiving the first conduit within the female end 17, and the maleend 16 is configured to be connected to a second fluid conduit by beingreceived within the second conduit.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1B-1J, the female coupler 5 has agenerally almond-shaped rounded housing 12 that gracefully curves fromsurface to surface. As a result, the female coupler 5 and its housing 12are both ergonomic and attractive. As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1D, 1E and 1I,the button includes a generally oval-shaped recess 175 for receiving auser's thumb. The longitudinal axis of the oval-shaped recess 175extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the overallfemale coupler 5.

As indicated in FIGS. 1C, 1G, 1H and 1J, the bottom exterior surface ofthe housing 12 includes a second generally oval-shaped recess 18 forreceiving a user's forefinger. The longitudinal axis of the secondoval-shaped recess 18 extends generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the overall female coupler 5. Due to the ergonomicconfiguration of the overall female coupler 5 and configuration andorientation of the two oval-shaped recesses 175, 18, the female coupler5 can be comfortably held between a user's thumb and forefinger.

For a discussion of the elements comprising the female coupler 5 of thesubject invention, reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is an explodedtop-front isometric view of the female coupler 5 and male connector 10.As shown in FIG. 2, the female coupler 5 includes the button 15, thehousing 12 (which includes an upper housing portion 20, a lower housingportion 25, and a front housing portion 30), a collet finger 35, ahelical spring 40, and an o-ring 45.

a. Male Connector

For a discussion of the features of the male connector 10, reference isnow made to FIGS. 1A, 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the maleconnector 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the male connector 10 includesa barbed male end 50, a grooved male end 55, a disk portion 60, alongitudinally extending body 65, and a fluid conduit 70 extendingthrough the male connector 10 from the grooved male end 55 to the barbedmale end 50.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1A and 2, the barbed male end 50 isadapted to be received in a first tubular conduit 75 (illustrated inhidden lines), and the grooved male end 55 is received within an opening80 defined in the front housing portion 30 of the female coupler 5. Asshown in FIG. 3, the barbed male end 50 includes a tapered section 85that increases in diameter as it extends from the tip of the barbed end50 to a lip 90 that extends circumferentially about the body 65. Thetapered section 85 facilitates the insertion of the barbed male end 50into the first tubular conduit 75, and the lip 90 facilitates theretention of the barbed male end 50 in the first tubular conduit 75.

As can be understood from FIG. 1A, the disk portion 60 serves as agrasping feature that allows a user to grasp the male connector 10 forits insertion into, or its removal from, the female coupler 5. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2 and 3, the disk portion 60 includesbumps/knurls 95 that increase frictional contact between the diskportion 60 and a user to allow the user to rotate the male connector 10as it is being inserted into the first tubular conduit 75.

As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the grooved male end 55 includes a groove100 extending circumferentially about the body 65 of the male connector10. The groove 100 includes a leading beveled edge 100′, a trailingbeveled edge 100″, and a recessed cylindrical segment 100′″ between thebeveled edges 100′, 100″. The recessed cylindrical segment 100′″ formsthe bottom surface of the groove 100. The groove 100 is offset from thetip of the grooved male end 55, thereby forming a cylindrical rim 105that extends between a beveled edge 110 of the tip and the leadingbeveled edge 100′ of the groove 100. As discussed later in this DetailedDescription, when the grooved male end 55 is received within the opening80 defined in the front housing portion 30 of the female coupler 5, thegroove 100 serves as a coupling feature for engagement by an engagementfeature of the female coupler 5. Engagement of the coupling feature(i.e., groove 100) of the male connector 10 by the engagement feature ofthe female coupler 5 couples the male connector 10 to the female coupler5.

In one embodiment, the male connector 10 is formed from acetal. Inanother embodiment, the male connector 10 is formed from nylon. In yetother embodiments, the male connector 10 is formed from otherappropriate polymers.

b. Upper Housing Portion

For a discussion of the features of the upper housing portion 20,reference is now made to FIGS. 1A, 2 and 4-6. FIG. 4 is a bottom-frontisometric view of the upper housing portion 20. FIG. 5 is anotherbottom-front isometric view of the upper housing portion 20. FIG. 6 isbottom-rear isometric view of the upper housing portion 20. FIGS. 1A and2 illustrate the outer features of the upper housing portion 20, andFIGS. 4-6 illustrate the inner features of the upper housing portion 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 2 and 4-6, in one embodiment, the upper housingportion 20 includes a shell wall 110 and a longitudinally extending body112. The shell wall 110 has a rounded ergonomically shaped outer surfaceand joins the body 112 at a rear end of the upper housing portion 20 toform one integral piece. The shell wall 110 includes a semi-circularopening 115 at the front end of the upper housing portion 20, a topopening 120 for receiving the button 15 (as illustrated in FIG. 1A), anda lip 122 extending along the edge of the top opening 120. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, rounded grooves 125 are located in the innersurface of the shell wall 110 near the intersection between the body 112and the shell wall 110 on either side of the body 112. The roundedgrooves 125 serve as the upper half of pivot pin brackets for retainingthe pivot pins of the button, as discussed later in this DetailedDescription.

As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4-6, the longitudinally extending body 112includes a barbed male end 130, a female end 135, and a fluid conduit137 extending through the body 112 from the female end 135 to the maleend 130. The barbed male end 130 includes a tapered section 140 thatincreases in diameter as it extends from the tip of the barbed end 130to a lip 145 that extends circumferentially about the body 112. Thetapered section 140 facilitates the insertion of the barbed male end 130into a second tubular conduit 150 (illustrated in hidden lines in FIG.1A), and the lip 145 facilitates the retention of the barbed male end130 in the second tubular conduit 150.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the female end 135 is a bell-typesocket with a stepped opening 160 (as shown in FIG. 16) defined by anouter section 160′ and an inner section 160″. The diameter of the outersection 160′ exceeds the diameter of the inner section 160″. The outersection 160′ is sized to receive the o-ring 45 (shown in FIG. 2) and theinner section 160″ is sized to receive the grooved male end 55 of themale connector 10 when the male connector 10 is coupled with the femalecoupler 5, as shown in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-6, the body 112 includes a pair of parallelribs 165 extending longitudinally along the bottom surface of the body112. The body 112 also includes a pair of curved saddles 170 that arelocated near the top surface of the body 112, near the intersectionbetween the body 112 and the shell wall 110. The saddles 170 serve asthe lower half of pivot pin brackets for retaining the pivot pins of thebutton, as will be discussed later in this Detailed Description.

In one embodiment, the upper housing portion 20 is formed fromacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”). In another embodiment, theupper housing portion 20 is formed from polycarbonate. In yet otherembodiments, the upper housing portion 20 is formed from otherappropriate polymers.

c. Button

For a discussion of the features of the button 15, reference is now madeto FIGS. 1A, 2 and 7-10. FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the button 15.FIG. 8 is a bottom-front isometric view of the button 15. FIG. 9 is abottom-rear isometric view of the button 15. FIG. 10 is a bottom-frontisometric view of the button 15 pivotally coupled to the upper housingportion 20. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, in one embodiment, the button 15has a triangularly shaped platform 174 with an ergonomically shapedthumb receiving area 175 on the upper/outside surface of the platform174.

As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 7-9, the button 15 includes a wedge member180, a latch member 185, and a pair of pins 190. The wedge member 180tapers as it extends downward from the bottom surface of the buttonplatform 174. The wedge member 180 includes an arcuate inclined surface195 for engaging a portion of the collet finger 35 to disengage theengagement feature of the collet finger 35 from the coupling feature ofthe male connector 10, as discussed later in this Detailed Description.The latch member 185 extends downward from the bottom surface of thebutton platform 174 and includes a lip 199 at the free end of the latchmember 185. The pair of pins 190 extends downward from the bottom rearsurface of the button platform 174, each pin extending generallyperpendicularly away from the longitudinal centerline of the buttonplatform 174.

As can be understood from FIG. 10, the lip 199 of the latch member 185is configured to engage the lip 122 of the upper housing portion 20 toprevent the button 15 from overly biasing away from the rest of thefemale coupler 5 on account of the biasing force of the helical spring40, as discussed later in this Detailed Description. Each pin 190resides in a bracket formed by a rounded groove 125 and a curved saddle170. This arrangement allows the button 15 to pivot about the pins 190within the top opening 120 of the upper housing portion 20.

In one embodiment, the button 15 is formed from nylon. In anotherembodiment, the button 15 is formed from acetal. In yet otherembodiments, the button 15 is formed from other appropriate polymers. Inone embodiment, the helical spring 40 is formed from a metal such as 302stainless steel.

d. Collet Finger

For a discussion of the features of the collet finger 35, reference isnow made to FIGS. 2, 11-16, and 28-30. FIG. 11 is top-rear isometricview of the collet finger 35. FIG. 12 is a bottom-front isometric viewof the collet finger 35. FIG. 13 is a top-front isometric view of thecollet finger 35. FIG. 14 is a top-rear isometric view of therelationship between the button 15 and collet finger 35. FIG. 15 is abottom-front isometric view of the relationship between the button 15and collet finger 35. FIG. 16 is a horizontal cross section of the maleconnector 10 coupled with the female coupler 5, as taken along sectionline AA in FIG. 1A. FIG. 28 is a bottom-rear isometric view of analternative embodiment of the collet finger 35. FIG. 29 is a bottom planview of the embodiment of the collet finger 35 depicted in FIG. 28. FIG.30 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the collet finger 35 depictedin FIG. 29.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 11-16, the collet finger 35 includes a headportion 196, a body portion 200, and a tail portion 205. The headportion 196 includes an engagement feature 210 configured to engage thegroove 100 of the male connector 10. In one embodiment, the engagementfeature 210 includes an arcuate leading edge 215, a first arcuate wallportion 220, an arcuate beveled surface 225, a second arcuate wallportion 230 and an arcuate lip 235. The first arcuate wall portion 220extends from the arcuate leading edge 215 to the arcuate beveled surface225. The second arcuate wall portion 230 extends from the arcuatebeveled surface 225 to the arcuate lip 235. The arcuate leading edge 215and first arcuate wall portion 220 are defined by a first radius. Thearcuate lip 235 and the second arcuate wall portion 230 are defined by asecond radius that is smaller than the first radius. The arcuate lip 235is formed by the edge formed between the second arcuate wall portion 230and a back planar surface 240 perpendicularly intersecting the secondarcuate wall portion 230.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the grooved male end 55 of the male connector10 is fully received within the opening 80 of the female coupler 5 suchthat the male connector 10 is coupled with the female coupler 5, thesecond arcuate wall portion 230 abuts against the recessed cylindricalsegment 100′″ of the groove 100. As a result, the arcuate lip 235resides in the groove 100 adjacent to the leading beveled edge 100′,thereby preventing the male connector 10 from being withdrawn from thefemale coupler 5.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 11-16, the body portion 200 includes an arcuateinclined face 245 and a notch 250. The notch 250 is located on a bottomside of the body portion 200 and is configured to mate with features inthe lower housing portion 25. The arcuate inclined face 245 is locatedon an inner side of the body portion 200 and tapers as it extends fromthe top of the body portion 200 to the bottom of the body portion 200.As can be understood from FIGS. 14-16, the arcuate inclined face 245 isconfigured to be engaged by the arcuate inclined surface 195 of thetapered wedge member 180.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the button 15 is not depressed, the taperedwedge member 180 does not wedge against the arcuate inclined face 245 ofthe body portion 200. As a result, the engagement feature 210 is notdisengaged from the coupling feature (i.e., groove 100) of the maleconnector 5. However, when the button 15 is depressed, the tapered wedgemember 180 wedges against the arcuate inclined face 245 of the bodyportion 200. Consequently, the engagement feature 210 is forced away(i.e., disengaged) from the coupling feature of the male connector 5.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 11-16, in one embodiment, the collet finger 35includes a tail portion 205 that curves back about the outside surfaceof the body portion 200. The tail portion 205 serves as an integralbiasing element that acts against the interior surface of the lowerhousing portion 25 to bias the engagement feature 210 laterally inwardtowards the longitudinal axis of the fluid conduit 137 of thelongitudinally extending body 112 of the female coupler 5. Thus, thebiasing nature of the tail portion 205 causes the engagement feature 210to remain in engagement with the coupling feature (i.e., groove 100) ofthe male connector 10 until caused to disengage by the actuation of thebutton 15.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2 and 11-16, the head, body and tailportions 196, 200, 205 are formed entirely from the same material in onepiece. In one embodiment, the entire collet finger 35 is formed fromnylon. In another embodiment, the entire collet finger 35 is formed fromacetal. In yet other embodiments, the entire collet finger 35 is formedfrom other appropriate polymers.

In one embodiment, as indicated in FIGS. 28-30, the integral biasingelement 205 of the collet finger is formed from a material that isdissimilar from the material used to form the rest of the collet finger35. Specifically, the head and body portions 196, 200 are formed from apolymer and the tail portion 205 is formed from a metal such as 302stainless steel. As can be understood from FIGS. 28-30, the biasingelement 205 is a leaf spring 205 received in a slot 206 in the bodyportion 200 of the collet finger 35.

In one embodiment, the integral biasing element 205 is replaced with abiasing element 205 that is separate from the collet finger 35. In onesuch embodiment, the separate biasing element 205 is a leaf springlocated between a surface of the collet finger 35 and the interiorsurface of the housing 12. In one embodiment, the separate biasingelement 205 is a helical spring located between a surface of the colletfinger 35 and the interior surface of the housing 12.

As can be understood from FIG. 16, when the male connector 10 isinserted in a first direction, which is shown schematically in FIGS. 16and 27 as arrow A, into the opening 80 of the female coupler 5, thebeveled edge 110 of the tip of the grooved male end 55 of the maleconnector 10 interacts with the arcuate beveled surface 225 of theengagement feature 210 to cause the engagement feature 210 to displacein a second direction, which is shown schematically in FIGS. 16 and 27as arrow B, laterally away from the male connector 10 (i.e., theengagement feature 210 displaces generally perpendicularly away from thetravel direction of the male connector 10 as the male connector 10travels through the opening 80 of the female coupler 5). Once the maleconnector 10 is fully inserted into the female coupler 5, the biasingnature of the tail 205 causes the engagement feature 210 to displace ina third direction, which is shown schematically in FIGS. 16 and 27 asarrow C, laterally back towards male connector 10 such that the arcuatelip 235 is received within the groove 100 of the male connector 10.

As indicated in FIG. 16, when the male connector 10 is fully inserted inthe female coupler 5, the cylindrical rim 105 of the male grooved end 55of the male connector 5 is received within the stepped opening 160 ofthe female end 135. As a result, the cylindrical rim 105 abuts againstthe inner circumferential surface of the o-ring 45 to form a liquidtight seal.

In one embodiment, the o-ring 45 is formed from nitrile buna-n. In otherembodiments, the o-ring 45 is formed from other appropriate polymermaterials.

e. Lower Housing Portion

For a discussion of the features of the lower housing portion 25,reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 17-24. FIG. 17 is top-frontisometric view of the lower housing portion 25. FIG. 18 is anothertop-front isometric view of the lower housing portion 25. FIG. 19 is atop-rear isometric view of the lower housing portion 25. FIG. 20 is atop plan view of the lower housing portion 25. FIG. 21 is a top-frontisometric view of the relationship between the button 15 and lowerhousing portion 25. FIG. 22 is a top-rear isometric view of therelationship between the button 15 and lower housing portion 25. FIG. 23is a top-front isometric view of the relationship between the colletfinger 35 and lower housing portion 25. FIG. 24 is a top-rear isometricview of the relationship between the collet finger 35 and lower housingportion 25.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 17-20, the lower housing portion 25 includes acollar 255, a spring post 260, a pair of saddle posts 265, a ridge 270,a shell wall 275, a semi-circular opening 280, and a rectangular opening285. The ridge 270 is centered laterally within the interior of lowerhousing portion 25 and extends longitudinally in a manner that isparallel to the longitudinal axis of the lower housing portion 25. Theridge 270 mates with the pair of parallel ribs 165 extendinglongitudinally along the bottom surface of the body 112 of the upperhousing portion 20.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1C and 17-20, the exterior surface ofthe shell wall 275 is rounded and ergonomically shaped. The interiorsurface of the shell wall 275 defines a bowl-like volume. Thesemi-circular opening 280 in the rear of the shell wall 275 receives thelongitudinally extending body 112 of the upper housing portion 20 whenthe upper and lower housing portions 20, 25 are mated together to formthe overall housing 12, as can be understood from FIG. 1D. Therectangular opening 285 in the front of the shell wall 275 receives thefront housing portion 30, as discussed later in this DetailedDescription.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 17-20, the spring post 260 extendsgenerally vertically upward from the interior surface of the shell wall275. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the helical spring 40 is centeredabout the spring post 260 and acts against the bottom surface of thebutton platform 174 to bias the button 15 upward into a position whereinthe wedge element 180 does not engage the collet finger 35.

As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 17-20, each saddle post 265 includes anarcuate saddle surface 290. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, each arcuatesaddle surface 290 serves as another lower half of a pivot pin bracketfor retaining a pivot pin 190 of the button 15, thereby allowing thebutton 15 to pivot relative to the lower housing portion 25.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 17-20, the collar 255 includes a flange300 perpendicularly intersecting a cylindrical wall portion 305. Awindow 306 or opening extends laterally through the cylindrical wallportion 305 and is defined in the cylindrical wall portion 305 by upperand lower planar wall portions 310′, 310″. The front side of the window306 is open, and the rear side 315 of the window 306 is the verticalplanar face of the flange. A cylindrical opening 320 passes through thecollar 255. Thus, as can be understood from FIG. 16, when the maleconnector 10 is fully inserted into the female coupler 5, the groovedmale end 55 passes through the cylindrical opening 320 to be received inthe stepped opening 160 of the female end 135 of the body 112 of theupper housing portion 20.

As indicated in FIGS. 16, 23 and 24, the upper and lower planar surfacesof the head 196 of the collet finger 35 slidably abut against the upperand lower planar wall portions 310′, 310″ of the window 306. As aresult, the head 196 of the collet finger 35 may extend into or retractout of the cylindrical opening 320 via the window 306, thereby allowingthe engagement feature 210 of the collet finger 35 to move into or outof engagement with the coupling feature 100 of the male connector 100.

In one embodiment, the lower housing portion 25 is formed fromacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”). In another embodiment, thelower housing portion 25 is formed from polycarbonate. In yet otherembodiments, the lower housing portion 25 is formed from otherappropriate polymers.

f. Front Housing Portion

For a discussion of the features of the front housing portion 30,reference is now made to FIGS. 1B, 1C, 2, 16, 25 and 26. FIG. 25 isbottom-front isometric view of the front housing portion 30. FIG. 26 isa bottom-rear isometric view of the front housing portion 30. As shownin FIG. 25, the front of the front housing portion 30 includes anextended face 330 that has a semi-circular upper section 335, arectangular lower section 340 and an opening 80 extending through theextended face 330. As can be understood from FIGS. 1B, 1C and 2, thesemi-circular upper section 335 is received by the semi-circular opening115 in the shell wall 110 of the upper housing portion 20, and therectangular lower section 340 is received by the rectangular opening 285in the shell wall 275 of the lower housing portion 25.

As can be understood from FIG. 16, the opening 80 in the extended face330 leads to the opening 320 in the collar 255 of the lower housingportion 25. Thus, the two openings 80, 320 combine to guide the maleconnector 10 into proper alignment with the female coupler 5 as the maleconnector 10 passes into the female coupler 5.

As indicated in FIG. 26, the rear of the front housing portion 30includes an overhanging ledge 345, which serves as an upper planarsurface against which the upper planar surface of the collet finger 35slidably displaces. The inner edge of the opening 80 adjacent the ledge345 is tapered. This tapered edge 350 facilitates the engagement of theengagement feature 210 of the collet finger 35 with the coupling feature100 of the male connector.

In one embodiment, the front housing portion 30 is formed fromacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”). In another embodiment, thefront housing portion 30 is formed from polycarbonate. In yet otherembodiments, the front housing portion 30 is formed from otherappropriate polymers.

g. Coupler Operation

For a discussion of the operation of the female coupler 5, reference isnow made to FIGS. 1A, 2, 16 and 27. FIG. 27 is a top-front isometricview of the relationship between the collet finger 35, button 15 andlower housing portion 25. As can be understood from FIGS. 1A, 2, 16 and27, in order to couple the male connector 10 with the female coupler 5,the male grooved end 55 of the male connector 10 is aligned with theopening 80 of the female coupler 5 and then inserted. As the groovedmale end 55 proceeds through the openings 80, 320, the beveled leadingedge 110 of the grooved male end 55 encounters the beveled arcuatesurface 225 of the engagement feature 210 of the collet finger 35. Thisencounter causes the head 196 of the collet finger 35 to displace withinthe window 306 in a lateral direction away from the grooved male end 55and against the biasing force of the biasing element 205 of the colletfinger 35. As the cylindrical rim 105 of the grooved male end 55 isfully received in the stepped opening 160 of the female end 135 of thebody 112 of the upper housing portion 20, the arcuate edge 235 of theengagement feature 210 slips past the leading beveled edge 100′ of thegroove 100 to fall into the groove 100. As a result, the engagementfeature 210 engages the coupling feature 100 and the female coupler 5couples with the male connector 10.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1A, 2, 16 and 27, in order to decouplethe male connector 10 from the female coupler 5, the button 15 isdepressed in a fourth direction, which is shown schematically in FIG. 27as arrow D, against the upward biasing force of the helical spring 40 topivot about the pivot pins 190 into the button opening 120 in the topsurface of the housing 12. This drives the tapered wedge member 180downward, which forces the arcuate inclined surface 195 of the wedgemember 180 against the arcuate inclined face 245 of the collet finger35. As a result, the collet finger 35 is driven against the biasingelement 205 of the collet finger 35 and laterally away from thelongitudinal axis of the female coupler 5. This causes the engagementfeature 210 of the collet finger 35 to disengage from the couplingfeature 100 of the male connector 10. While the engagement feature 210and coupling feature 100 are disengaged, the male connector 10 iswithdrawn from opening 80 of the female coupler 5. When the button 15 isreleased, th helical spring 40 moves the button 15 in a fifth direction,which is shown schematically in FIG. 27 as arrow E, to return the button15 to its initial position.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The invention is limited only by the scopeof the following claims.

1. A connector system for releasably coupling together fluid conduits,the connector system comprising: a male connector including a couplingfeature; and a female connector including: an opening configured toreceive therein the coupling feature of the male connector when the maleand female connectors are releasably coupled, wherein the opening guidesthe coupling feature of the male connector along a first line of actionas the coupling feature of the male connector is received into theopening; an engagement member including an engagement feature, whereinthe engagement feature displaces along a second line of action that isdifferent than the first line of action when the coupling feature of themale connector is received in the opening, the engagement featureengaging the coupling feature to releasably couple the male connector tothe female connector; and an actuation element that displaces along athird line of action that is different than the first and second linesof action in order to disengage the engagement feature from the couplingfeature.
 2. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the femaleconnector further includes a button from which the actuation elementextends.
 3. The connector system of claim 2, wherein the femaleconnector further includes a housing and wherein the button is pivotallycoupled to the housing.
 4. The connector system of claim 2, wherein thefemale connector further includes a housing substantially enclosing theengagement member and supporting the button.
 5. The connector system ofclaim 2, wherein the female connector further includes first and secondbiasing elements, the first biasing element acting against theengagement member to bias the engagement feature into engagement withthe coupling feature, the second biasing element acting against thebutton to bias the actuation element away from the engagement member. 6.The connector system of claim 1, wherein: the male connector includes anend defining the coupling feature and a fluid conduit; the femaleconnector includes a fluid conduit; and when the end of the maleconnector is fully received in the opening, the fluid conduits of themale and female connectors are placed in fluid communication.
 7. Aconnector system comprising: a male connector including an end and afluid conduit extending through the male connector from the end; and afemale connector including an opening, an engagement member adjacent theopening, an actuation member adjacent the engagement member, and a fluidconduit extending through the female connector from a location near theopening, wherein inserting the end of the male connector in a firstdirection into the opening of the female connector causes the engagementmember to first move in a second direction and then a third directiondifferent from the second direction as the engagement member engages theend of the male connector, the first direction being different from thesecond direction, wherein causing the actuation member to move in afourth direction causes the engagement member to move in the seconddirection and out of engagement with the end of the male connector, thefourth direction being different from the first and second directions.8. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the engagement of theengagement member with the end of the male connector maintains the fluidconduit of the male connector in fluid communication with the fluidconduit of the female connector.
 9. The connector system of claim 7,wherein the third direction is generally opposite the second direction.10. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the first, second, thirdand fourth directions are different from each other.
 11. The connectorsystem of claim 10, wherein the engagement member is biased in the thirddirection.
 12. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the actuationmember is biased in a fifth direction different from the fourthdirection.
 13. The connector system of claim 12, wherein the engagementmember is biased in the third direction.
 14. The connector system ofclaim 7, wherein the first and second directions are generallyperpendicular to each other.
 15. The connector system of claim 7,wherein the first and fourth directions are generally perpendicular toeach other.
 16. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the first,second and fourth directions are generally perpendicular to each other.17. The connector system of claim 16, wherein the second and thirddirections are generally opposite each other.
 18. A connector systemcomprising: a male connector including: an end; and a fluid conduitextending through the male connector from the end; and a femaleconnector including: a housing with an opening defined therein, theopening configured to receive therein the end of the male connector whenthe male and female connectors are coupled together; a fluid conduit atleast partially residing within the housing; an engagement memberincluding a portion adjacent the opening, the portion engaging the endof the male connector and maintaining the end of the male connectorwithin the opening once received therein; and an actuation memberpivotal relative to the housing, wherein displacement of the actuationmember in a first direction causes the portion of the engagement memberto move in a second direction to disengage from the end of the maleconnector, thereby freeing the end of the male connector for removalfrom the opening.
 19. The connector system of claim 18, wherein thefluid conduit of the female connector includes an end near the opening.20. The connector system of claim 19, wherein, when the end of the fluidconduit of the male connector is maintained within the opening of thehousing by the portion of the engagement member, the fluid conduits arein fluid communication.
 21. The connector system of claim 18, whereinthe actuation member is pivotal relative to the housing via a pin andhinge arrangement.
 22. The connector system of claim 18, wherein theportion of the engagement member forms a portion of a passageway betweenthe opening and an end of the fluid conduit of the female connector. 23.The connector system of claim 18, wherein the engagement member at leastpartially resides within the housing.
 24. The connector system of claim18, wherein the actuation member includes a button that is at leastpartially depressible within the housing when causing the engagementmember to disengage.
 25. The connector system of claim 18, wherein theengagement member includes a collet finger.
 26. The connector system ofclaim 18, wherein the second direction of movement for the portion ofthe engagement member is substantially lateral to the first direction ofdisplacement for the actuation member.